Impact of a Multi-Institutional Initiative to Engage Students and Early-Stage Scholars From Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in HIV Research: The Centers for AIDS Research Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative

Abstract

Background: The Centers for AIDS Research Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) aims to establish programs to develop pathways for successful careers in HIV science among scholars from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations. This article describes cross-site evaluation outcomes during the first 18 months (July 2021–December 2022) across 15 programs. Methods: The aims of the evaluation were to characterize participants, describe feasibility, challenges, and successes of the programs and provide a basis for the generalizability of best practices to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in the United States. Two primary data collection methods were used: a quarterly programmatic monitoring process and a centrally managed, individual-level, participant quantitative and qualitative survey. Results: During the first year of evaluation data collection, 1085 racially and ethnically diverse scholars ranging from the high school to postdoctoral levels applied for CDEIPI programs throughout the United States. Of these, 257 (23.7%) were selected to participate based on program capacity and applicant qualifications. Participants were trained by 149 mentors, teachers, and staff. Of the N = 95 participants responding to the individual-level survey, 95.7% agreed or strongly agreed with statements of satisfaction with the program, 96.8% planned to pursue further education, and 73.7% attributed increased interest in a variety of HIV science topics to the program. Qualitative findings suggest strong associations between mentorship, exposure to scientific content, and positive outcomes. Conclusions: These data provide evidence to support the feasibility and impact of novel DEI programs in HIV research to engage and encourage racially and ethnically diverse scholars to pursue careers in HIV science.

Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI): Developing Career Pathways for Early-Stage Scholars From Racial and Ethnic Groups Underrepresented in HIV Science and Medicine

“…During the first 18 months of the initiative, 257 student scholars participated in CDEIPI programs including 150 high school, 73 undergraduate, 3 postbaccalaureate, 27 graduate, and 4 postdoctoral students. 39…”

Early Engagement in HIV Research: Evaluation of the Penn CFAR Scholars Program Aimed at Increasing Diversity of the HIV/AIDS Workforce

“…As part of the central CDEIPI evaluation, scholars completed an anonymous survey common to all CDEIPI sites (Magnus et al in this supplement). 16 To assess the Penn CFAR Scholars Program with greater granularity, we conducted 22 individual structured interviews with scholars, research mentors, and program leadership. Interview guides included common themes among all 3 groups about experience with the program, affective evaluation of attitudes toward program components, program's impact on stated goals, and future directions.…”

Supplemental Issue of the Journal of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS): The Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI)

“…This overview article is followed by a results-focused evaluation article, which presents program-wide quantitative and qualitative data that were collected using uniform data collection instruments across the CDEIPI network. 3 This article provides critical information about the overall scope and reach of the CDEIPI initiative, shares data on the early successes and challenges of the CDEIPI program to date, and is coauthored by the Evaluation leads at the CDEIPI sites and Coordinating Center.…”